Youth competitors from across the state will show their prize pigs at the State Market Hog Show, Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Teague Arena in Montgomery’s Garrett Coliseum Complex.

Youth will compete in classes that demonstrate their abilities to show their hogs to the judge and classes that evaluate the overall quality of the animals.

In addition, Bob Ebert, a youth livestock specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, says the youth will have an opportunity to participate in a judging competition and an agriknowledge quiz.

“There will also be Champion Exhibitors,” says Ebert. “The young person’s placing in showmanship, judging and agriknowledge is combined with the placing of two market hogs to get an overall score. The top scorers will be the Champion Exhibitors in three age divisions.”

Ebert said the rewards of participating in youth livestock programs and events go far beyond the ribbons, trophies and scholarships the young people win.

“These competitors develop skills and abilities they will use for the rest of their lives. They learn about responsibility, sportsmanship and time management," says Ebert. “The animal depends on the youngster to provide for its needs, and that builds maturity in the young person. Young people also learn the importance of being considerate of fellow competitors and judges, even when they may not win.”

Nutritionists may be accused of talking out of both sides of their mouths.

Restricting caloric intake to avoid weight gain may be sound, if not indispensible, advice for middle-aged women. On the other hand, nutritionists are more reluctant to offer this advice to teenage girls, fearing many of them may take it too seriously.

An authority on water quality and conservation issues will discuss the political climate in Washington and how public policy will likely impact farmers and ranchers Friday, Jan. 23, at 9:00 a.m. in 109 Comer Hall on the Auburn University campus.

The Alabama 4-H Environmental Science Education Center has been awarded gold-level certification as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) project by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The $5 million 4-H center, situated on Lay Lake near Columbiana, Ala., is the first 4-H facility in the United States to attain LEED gold certification and only the second building in Alabama to receive the honor. The innovative 4-H center, which sets new standards for energy efficiency and environmental responsibility, celebrated its grand opening in November 2007.

The 2009 Regional Healthy Marriages, Healthy Families, and Responsible Fatherhood Conference on Best Practices is set for February 3-5 in Montgomery. This educational opportunity for professionals held by the Alabama Community Healthy Marriage Initiative. The conference features an expanded number of workshops and nationally acclaimed presenters.

Throughout the two and a half days, attendees can participate in a number of workshops in the areas of marriage, youth, parenting, fatherhood, faith-based and community organizational development, and health and wellness.
Facilitators are national and regional experts who will provide both current research and practical tools to help professionals strengthen families in their communities. Auburn University, counseling, social work and registered nursing CEU's will be awarded for attendance.

This conference is a collaborative effort between the Alabama Community Healthy Marriage Initiative, Auburn University's Department of Human Development and Family Studies, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, the Alabama Department of Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, the Children's Trust Fund, the Alabama Departments of Human Resources, Public Health and Education, the Governor's Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the National Stepfamily Resource Center and Region 4 of the Administration for Children and Families.

To register and obtain detailed conference information, visit www.alabamamarriage.org or contact ACHMI at (888) 4TOGETHER.

We heard the parable of the ant and the grasshopper countless times during childhood: The ant labors to build a house and store supplies for leaner times while the grasshopper sings and dances and throws caution to the wind.